Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4 together.

The newly established Cabinet committee on children and education will oversee the implementation of programme for Government commitments in the area of children and education with a specific focus on child poverty and well-being. The first meeting of this Cabinet committee will take place shortly.

This new Cabinet committee will have a greater focus on improving the lives of all children in Ireland and on giving them the best start possible.

I speak regularly with the Ministers, Deputies Foley and Harris, at Cabinet and away from Cabinet, and I also speak with the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan. Education is the great leveller and the best way people can build a better life for themselves and their families.

Every time I visit a school, I meet students who are full of optimism and enthusiasm about the future. They believe anything is possible and through the world of learning, they can achieve anything they want.

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